What Makes a Factory Second?
At Faribault Mill, perfection is our standard. Every blanket, throw, and accessory we make passes through more than 20 meticulous steps and the hands of at least a dozen skilled artisans. Along the way, dozens of trained eyes inspect every inch of fabric. If even the slightest irregularity is found—a skipped thread, a subtle variation in weave, or a small cosmetic blemish—the item is marked as a Factory Second.
These products don’t meet our strict “first quality” standards, but they are still made from the same premium wool and cotton fabrics, woven right here in our historic American mills. In fact, many customers find the imperfections so subtle they can be difficult to spot at all.
By choosing a Factory Second, you’re getting the best of both worlds: authentic Faribault Mill craftsmanship, 100% Made in USA heritage blankets and throws, premium materials with heirloom durability, and the added value of discounted pricing thanks to minor cosmetic flaws.
Our Factory Seconds blankets and throws are proof that even imperfection has its charm. Each piece carries the warmth, comfort, and timeless design Faribault Mill is known for—just with a more approachable price tag.
woolen items
The Select 8: Perfectly Imperfect
Across thousands of blankets we weave each year, a small fraction show one of 16 possible flaws that can classify an item as a Factory Second.These flaws vary in severity and visibility, so for our Factory Seconds sales, we selected eight of the most difficult-to-detect categories to feature on our website.They’re subtle—sometimes so discreet you’ll have to search to see them—yet they’re enough for us to set them apart from first-quality. What doesn’t change is the craftsmanship, the heirloom durability, and the comfort you expect from Faribault Mill.
Over/Under Napped
When a blanket receives either too much or too little napping. This can affect the clarity and texture of the blanket, causing it to deviate from the intended design.
Edge Effect
When there is a change in the finishing of a blanket or throw. Example: A turned under hem on a first quality blanket may change to a whip stitch edging on a second quality blanket.
Color Variation
The flaw is classified as an Color Variation when there is a slight color blemish on the blanket. This type of factory second is most common on lighter colored products.
Mis-Weave
When a single yarn is out of place. In most cases, this results in an inconsistency in the weaving pattern of the yarn.
Off Pattern
When a patterned style is woven incorrectly.
Example: The plaid squares on our Heritage Plaid throw might be woven wider than expected.
Fringe Defect
When the fringe on a throw is either improperly twisted or the wrong length. This issue occurs only on throws with fringed edges.
Off Size
When a product deviates from our size specifications by up to 4 inches larger or 1 inch smaller.
Example: A Queen-size blanket, typically 90x96 inches, might measure 89x96, making it slightly narrower.
Mixed Fill
When incorrect fill colors are used, altering the overall appearance of the blanket’s color.
cotton items
The Select 4: Perfectly Imperfect
For our cotton products, there are four specific types of blemishes that can classify an item as a Factory Second. Just like with wool, these imperfections vary in severity and visibility, but only the most discreet flaws are ever offered on our website. Each piece is still woven with the same premium cotton in our historic Maine mill, carrying the softness, breathability, and comfort you expect—just with a tiny quirk that sets it apart.
Bad Selvage
Sometimes the edge of a blanket doesn’t finish as smoothly as we expect, leaving a slightly uneven selvage. It’s strictly a visual blemish along the border—the fabric itself remains strong, soft, and every bit as functional as first-quality.
Tight Lines
This occurs when the blanket is woven a little tighter than usual on the loom, creating a faint darker line across the fabric. It’s purely a visual quirk—there’s no impact to the strength, feel, or longevity of the blanket.
Too Short
True to its name, this flaw simply means the blanket or throw turned out a little shorter than planned—typically just 2 to 5 inches.
Discoloration
Occasionally the yarn takes on uneven coloring, resulting in a subtle two-tone effect or areas that appear slightly sun-bleached.